Dolphins rule out DeShon Elliott, Rob Hunt vs. Jets

Dolphins will be without two key starters on Sunday.

The Miami Dolphins are holding their final practice of the week on Friday, as they prepare for their matchup with the New York Jets on Sunday.

However, before practice, head coach Mike McDaniel spoke to the media and informed reporters that safety DeShon Elliott and right guard Robert Hunt won’t play this week.

Elliott remains in concussion protocol while Hunt continues to deal with a hamstring injury.

Miami may also be without their other starting safety, Jevon Holland, this weekend, meaning Brandon Jones and Elijah Campbell could be the duo in the backend with Nik Needham helping out.

What the offensive line will look like is also completely up in the air, as left tackle Terron Armstead, right tackle Austin Jackson and backup center/guard Liam Eichenberg have been limited in practice. There’s a real chance that the Dolphins end up starting Lester Cotton and Robert Jones at guard and one of the freshly signed veterans (Jonotthan Harrison or Matt Skura).

Mike McDaniel provides updates on a slew of injured Dolphins

Miami’s HC updated the media and fans on a number of injured Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins have had some tough injury luck in recent weeks, and that didn’t stop during their Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium.

Mike McDaniel’s team lost a number of key players to injuries at different points in the contest, and while some made their way back onto the field, others were unable to return.

On Tuesday, McDaniel spoke to the media and provided many updates on his injured players.

Here’s what he had to say:

Dolphins DB fined for multiple penalty hits vs Patriots that weren’t called by officials

Dolphins DB receives fines for multiple penalty hits on Patriots players that weren’t called by officials.

There’s no question it was a rough afternoon for the referees in the New England Patriots’ Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins at South Beach.

There were multiple penalties that went uncalled in the game, including an ugly helmet-to-helmet hit from Dolphins defensive back DeShon Elliott that put Patriots wideout DeVante Parker in concussion protocol.

Elliott was also involved in a questionable hit against running back Rhamondre Stevenson as well, where he led with his helmet on the play.

After taking a look at both hits, the NFL handed down a $9,833 fine for the play on Parker and $43,709 for the play on Stevenson. The huge price jump is due to Elliott being a repeat offender, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

The fines won’t do much to quell the anger from Patriots fans considering they lost opportunities in a game that was deemed a must-win against the Dolphins.

They also lost Parker, who is one of their best receivers, for the Week 9 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

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Dolphins safety fined over $50,000 for hits against Patriots

The safety lost a chunk of his game check.

While the Miami Dolphins earned a win in Week 8 over the New England Patriots, safety DeShon Elliott was not as thrilled with the game as his other teammates.

Elliot was fined twice for two hits that weren’t called penalties during the contest.

The safety received a $9,833 fine for his hit on Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker which landed him in concussion protocol.

He was fined another $43,709 for a hit on running back Rhamonde Stevenson late in the second quarter that also wasn’t called a penalty.

Elliott originally shared his displeasure with the decisions on his Instagram story, and it’s no surprise, as that’s a good percentage of his game check.

WATCH: Dolphins S DeShon Elliott mic’d up vs. Eagles

Miami’s new safety was mic’d up for SNF.

The Miami Dolphins went into Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night and suffered their second loss of the season, being defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles 31-17.

Throughout the game, one of Miami’s new additions to the defensive unit, safety DeShon Elliott, was mic’d up, and we got to see and hear exactly how he goes through his business.

Elliott spent a lot of the game trying to get his teammates hyped up before and after plays, as he clearly brings an infectious energy to Vic Fangio’s defense.

Ranking the Dolphins’ offseason additions, from least to most significant

Miami brought in nine new players this offseason.

The Miami Dolphins were quite active this offseason in acquiring new players to improve the schemes on all sides of the ball. They added nine new players through free agency and trades that include four on offense, four on defense and one on special teams.

All of these signings should help the Dolphins make a return trip to the postseason in 2023 if not make a run that the fan base can be proud of.

Before we get to the draft, we’ll rank the least to most significant additions to Miami’s roster for the second season under head coach Mike McDaniel.

Dan Campbell shares what Dolphins are getting in DeShon Elliott

The coach has a lot of positive things to say about the safety.

During the 2022 season, the Miami Dolphins struggled mightily defensively. While a lot of that has been blamed on coaching, a lack of depth and quality talent on the field were big reasons as well.

Early on in free agency, general manager Chris Grier attacked defense early, including signing safety DeShon Elliott from the Detroit Lions. Elliott joined Detroit in 2022 after the completion of his rookie contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

At the league meetings, Elliott’s former head coach, Dan Campbell, spoke about the type of player the Dolphins are getting in the safety.

“Listen, DeShon, what a stud,” Campbell said (transcribed by the Miami Herald). “He’s another one of those guys who came in and just worked his rear off — active, snap the whistle, hard-hitting, aggressive, and he was a good teammate, man.

“And look, he had some bumps in the road early, and they came out of it and he was a really good player for us. He was cooking, and he really kind of kept us together in the back end last year. So we’ll miss him. I wish him all the best of luck.”

Elliott played 91% of the defensive snaps for the Lions last year, setting a career-high in tackles (96).

Under Vic Fangio’s tutelage in Miami, there’s a chance that Elliott continues that rise and gets ample opportunities to display his skills in a talented secondary that includes Xavien Howard, Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones.

Even if Elliott is the third safety in Miami’s defense, Fangio’s scheme uses extra defensive backs quite frequently.

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New Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott attempts to recruit Lamar Jackson

TuAnon was not too pleased.

On Monday, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson took to social media to announce that he’s requested a trade from the team that drafted him back in 2018.

Jackson was set to be a free agent this offseason, but the Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, meaning other teams could negotiate with him. The Ravens have the right to match any offer that he receives, and if they decide not to, the team signing Jackson must give Baltimore two first-round picks.

Jackson’s announcement coincided with his head coach, Jim Harbaugh, speaking with the media at the NFL’s annual meetings, sending the football world into a frenzy.

Former Ravens safety, and new Miami Dolphin, DeShon Elliott was one of many to get caught up in the hype. He took to Twitter, attempting to recruit Jackson to Miami.

Obviously, Jackson and Elliott were teammates once, and the latter wishes to team up again. However, with Tua Tagovailoa being a polarizing figure for the fan base, Elliott was attacked by supporters of the current quarterback.

Tagovailoa just recently had his fifth-year option picked up by the team, tying him to Miami through at least the 2024 season.

General manager Chris Grier wouldn’t be doing his job if the Dolphins haven’t checked in on Jackson’s situation in Baltimore, but it’s probably best to support the quarterback that’s in the building, as Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel have done so often in the last year.

Elliott backpedaled a bit after the tweet.

Even Jevon Holland found the situation laughable.

That’s a lesson learned by the new safety.

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4 things to know about Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott

Get to know the newest safety.

The Miami Dolphins have vastly improved their defense in the first week or so of the new league year, as they’ve acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebackers David Long and Malik Reed as well as safety DeShon Elliott.

In Vic Fangio’s defense, one that relies heavily on safeties and versatility, Elliott’s arrival could end up being one of the bigger moves of the offseason.

However, before he steps on the field for the first time in aqua and orange, Dolphins fans should get to know their newest defensive back.

Analyzing terms of new Dolphins DB DeShon Elliott’s contract

It’s not an expensive deal.

After a season that was marred by injuries and poor play on the defensive side of the ball, the Miami Dolphins have done a number of things to address the issues that plagued the unit.

One of those moves was signing former Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott to join a position group that also includes rising star Jevon Holland and former third-round pick Brandon Jones.

According to Over the Cap, Elliott and the Dolphins agreed to a one-year deal that will pay him $1.77 million. The safety will make $1.08 million in a base salary, which is fully guaranteed. He will also earn $690,000 in the form of a signing bonus. He has no workout or roster bonuses.

With this only being a one-year contract and all of the money is guaranteed, Elliott is essentially a lock to make the roster in 2023. They’ll save nothing by releasing him.

The safety market was surprisingly soft this offseason and, because of that, the Dolphins got a great deal on a player who will play meaningful snaps for Vic Fangio’s unit this season.

If he does well, he can parlay that into another contract the following year whether that be in Miami or somewhere else.

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